Cajun Zydeco Music

The origin of Cajun Zydeco music is as diverse as the Cajun people themselves. The history of Cajun music starts right around 1755 when the Acadians were being expelled from Nova Scotia. The people traveled south and eventually settled in Louisiana.

These Acadians brought their own style of music with them. It was music that had strong French influences. But just as the experience of being driven from their homeland changed them personally, it also changed their music.

The Acadians began to incorporate their experiences with the British and the Native Americans into their ballads. The New World definitely had a huge impact on their lives.

Cajun French music of long ago was really stories that were sung without the accompaniment of instruments. These ballads were performed at family gatherings and other social events. Sometimes rhythm was supplied by the clapping of hands or stomping of feet.

The fiddle was a major instrument in Louisiana Cajun music. It was played at dances and other large gatherings. One of the most famous Cajun fiddlers was Dennis McGee. His bayou music incorporated a blend of cultural influences which included African rhythms, blues and singing styles of the Native American Indians. His music is said to have been key to developing the modern Cajun Zydeco music of today.

A big change in Cajun music came in 1925 when the accordion was introduced. The great thing about the accordion music was that its sound was loud enough to carry across a crowded, noisy dance floor. The accordion was the perfect accompanying instrument to the fiddle and gave Louisiana music a lighter, more joyful feel.

When the radio and recordings came on the scene in the 1920’s, Cajun musicians were exposed to other musical influences from outside the Louisiana territory. These outside influences brought about more changes to the Cajun music scene.

As the rock and roll movement took hold in the 1950’s, Cajun music changed to include some of these rock and roll elements into its music. It was labeled swamp pop music. It could be described as hillbilly melodies combined with New Orleans style R & B, or Cajun Country.

Cajun music continues to evolve with the times. There have been country music artists that have included strong Cajun influences in their music. Cajun Creole music is a unique style of music that demonstrates the fortitude of the Cajun and Creole communities. It is a celebration of life and expresses the ability of people to overcome.

You can be sure we have a Cajun CD rockin’ our soul every Saturday night when we’re cooking up one of the Cajun recipes for the Cajun Cooking TV videos!

If you want to experience a unique blend of sounds and lyrics, get your hands on some true Cajun Zydeco music. There is no other music in the world like it.